Aim: We have studied the association between
occupational and non-occupational
knee joint load and MR-morphological signs
of degenerative joint derangement in patients
with knee pain.
Method: Knee joint MR-images of 216 patients
(mean age 46 ± 16 years) were evaluated
according to the modified whole-organ
magnetic resonance imaging score. MR-morphological
findings were correlated with joint
load estimated by means of modified Tegner
score data collected during a structured interview.
A binary logistic regression model
was employed to assess predictor variables
for knee osteoarthritis (OA).
Results: Initial or no signs of knee OA were
seen in 68 % of the patients. The accumulated
Tegner score in male patients was 50 %
higher than in females showing the same degree
of knee OA. Average and maximum
joint load were significantly associated with
a higher degree of degeneration in all joint
compartments and with degenerative meniscal
lesions (all p < 0.003). In men, logistic
regression revealed that working positions
including kneeling, squatting and climbing
ladders were highly predictive of manifest
knee OA in at least one joint compartment.
In women, the BMI was identified as the main
risk factor.
Conclusions: Knee MRI is useful in the study
of early stages of work-related knee OA. Kneestraining
working positions are mainly found
in male-dominated trades. All three compartments
are significantly affected by work-related
joint degeneration.
